About us
Beyond Small Talk (BST) is an East Bay community for curious, kind, and thoughtful people who value genuine connection, want to make new friends, try new experiences, explore new ideas, and enjoy life together in a warm and welcoming environment.
Our gatherings range from coffee and conversation and Walk+Talks to pickleball, board games, creative events, outdoor adventures, volunteering, community socials, and other activities that help friendships develop naturally over time.
At the heart of BST are kindness, openness, respect, inclusion, curiosity, and thoughtfulness. My hope is for this community to be a place where people feel welcome, accepted, and comfortable being themselves—while helping create that same sense of belonging for others.
BST is about creating opportunities for friendship and community, one conversation and shared experience at a time.
Community Expectations
To preserve the welcoming culture and ensure a positive experience for everyone, members are asked to:
- RSVP only if you genuinely plan to attend. If your plans change, please update your RSVP promptly so another member may join.
- Attend only if you are on the RSVP list or have confirmed with the organizer beforehand.
- Please do not bring unregistered guests unless the event allows them or you've received approval from the organizer beforehand.
- Respect others' time. Repeated no-shows may result in removal from the community. For smaller, limited-capacity events, repeated last-minute cancellations may also affect your ability to attend future events.
- No Advertising, Sales, or Self-Promotion - This is not a marketplace or advertising platform. Any unsolicited advertising, selling, recruiting, or self-promotion in the Meetup group or event discussions will result in immediate removal and a permanent ban from the community.
Thank you for helping make BST a kind, respectful, and welcoming community. I look forward to continuing to build it together with all of you.
Marilyn 🦋🌈☀️
Upcoming events
5
Past events
60
